Getting Comfortable with Self-Promotion

I recently read this article from Harvard Business Review on networking and why it doesn’t always work for women.  It seems that for women, it’s less “who you know” and more “what kind of work you produce,” when it comes to being hired/promoted.  In other words, men are being given the benefit of the doubt based on potential, while women have to show measurable accomplishments.

We’ve previously discussed the importance of being able to promote yourself and to eschew the ever-valued Latino custom of humilidad.  And we’ll keep pushing those ideas until studies show us that the tide has changed.  Until then—what can you do to showcase your accomplishments, especially when you fear backlash or are uncomfortable with self-promotion?

Thankfully, being able to self-advocate is a skill that gets easier the more you do it. So if you don’t feel comfortable doing it now, rest easy that you can get better at it. But when you’re starting out what can do you so you don’t feel like a braggart/presumida, but still highlight your accomplishments?

One. Focus on the teamwork. Eventually you must get comfortable reciting your good work, but to first get into the habit, you can start by identifying the good work done by your team. This is especially useful if you are leading the team because while you tout their accomplishments you’re also highlighting your leadership skills that got them to the victory spot.  You may not be leading a team right away, but soon you may be managing interns or paralegals that will need your leadership and guidance. By promoting others, along with yourself, you may also quell any backlash women sometimes face when they do self-promote because you’ll paint yourself as a team player.

Two. Show don’t just tell.  I’m a big proponent of displaying awards and diplomas in the office.  Sure, some may think it seems stuffy, but the reality is that women’s abilities– especially women of color’s abilities—are often underestimated. Case in point, while we’re being mistaken for interpreters, our sisters in STEM are being mistaken for janitors; this bias is real across all professions.  So nip this bias in the bud by displaying your credentials and awards. This is a nonverbal cue that reminds people that they need to come at you correct and it reminds people of your accomplishments. Likewise, show what goals you’ve met in your resume. Make sure you update it frequently and add real value to your accomplishments; for example, if you’ve won large settlements for clients, write in the figures not just that you succeeded in litigation.

Three. Offer your expertise. As attorneys, it can be easy to find organizations, social service providers, discussion panels, etc that are looking for professionals willing to talk about legal topics (usually for free). Take advantage of this by participating as much as you can. How does this help you? First, you gain the experience of public speaking, which almost always boosts your confidence. Two, you can slowly build an expertise in an area and that will lend itself to other opportunities.  Moreover, this helps build your reputation in your legal community and that kind of capital can be invaluable when it comes to transitioning to new jobs or opportunities.

Overall, it can be awkward to self-promote because we’re going against both gender and racial norms imposed on us. But if we buck tradition, it can make a real difference in our careers.

How do you make sure your higher-ups know about the good work you’re doing?